The Diary of a Volunteer
Overview
Jean-Marc Phaneuf, an unmarried electrical engineer, travels to Burundi as a volunteer for the NGO Radio du Monde. He finds a country ruined by grinding poverty, famine, war, disease and appalling social inequality. At the same time, he meets a joyful, brave people hungry for happiness, knowledge and human dignity. The camera that becomes his personal diary also helps Jean-Marc expose the shaky, ineffective workings of NGOs. His investigations turn up a few praiseworthy examples of international cooperation, but on the whole he finds himself drawn to a terrible, inescapable conclusion: humanitarian aid is a utopian mirage. After falling victim to an attack and losing whatever ideals he still had, Jean-Marc becomes entangled in an impossible relationship. He is ultimately forced to leave Africa in disgrace.
Director
Robert Morin
Top Cast
Robert Morin
Jean-Marc Phaneuf
Rose Twagirayezu
Églantine
Chantal Gatore
Pauline
Rémi Muhirwa Ciza
Léopold
Jani Alban
Mathilde
Patrice Faye
Jacques
André Lanthier
Ambassadeur du Canada
Capitaine Madimba
Omar
Dominique Puthod
Didier
Freddy Sibomana
Benoit
